title: Hepatoprotective activity of punarnavashtak kwath, an Ayurvedic formulation, against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and on the HepG2 cell line.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Punarnavashtak kwath (PNK) is a classical Ayurvedic formulation, mentioned in Ayurvedic literature Bhaishajya Ratnavali, for hepatic disorders and asthma. This study investigated the hepatoprotective activity of PNK to validate the traditional use of this formulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  PNK was prepared in the laboratory according to the method given in Ayurvedic literature. Phytochemical screening was performed to determine the presence of phytoconstituents. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated against CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and by its effect on the HepG2 cell line.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and a bitter principle in PNK. Administration of PNK produced significant hepatoprotective effect as demonstrated by decreased levels of serum liver marker enzymes such as aspartate transaminase, serum alanine transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, and serum bilirubin and an increase in protein level. Thiopentone-induced sleeping time was also decreased in the PNK-treated animals compared with the CCl(4)-treated group. It also showed antioxidant activity by increase in activity of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and by a decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance level compared with the CCl(4)-treated group. Results of a histopathological study also support the hepatoprotective activity of PNK. Investigation carried out on the HepG2 cell line depicted significant increase in viability of cells exposed to PNK as compared with CCl(4)-treated cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded that PNK protects hepatocytes from CCl(4)-induced liver damages due to its antioxidant effect on hepatocytes. An in vitro study on HepG2 cell lines also supports its protective effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, APMC College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Himatnagar, India. vnshah_02@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Vaishali N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Mamta B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Parloop A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bhatt
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012838:Silymarin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012838:Silymarin; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase